29th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024


A few years ago, my brother Patrick, his wife Shannon, and their family felt a deep calling to leave behind their life here and move to Honduras, where they are working as missionaries in an orphanage. 

They left behind the comforts of home, steady jobs, and a familiar life to serve children who have no one to care for them.

I remember talking to Patrick about this decision. It wasn’t an easy one. They had to weigh the sacrifices it would take: the uncertainty of living in another country, the financial strain, and the emotional challenge of working with children who have experienced profound suffering. 

But in the end, they said yes to God’s call, trusting that He would guide them, sustain them, and give them the strength to serve.

Today, the Church celebrates World Mission Sunday, a day when we reflect on the mission of the Church to bring the Gospel to every corner of the world. 

It’s a day when we are reminded that each of us, in our own way, is called to be a missionary—whether in far-off places or in our own communities.

In today’s Gospel, James and John ask Jesus for positions of honor in His kingdom. But Jesus challenges them with the real meaning of greatness. 

He tells them, “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant.” 

Greatness in God’s eyes isn’t about power or status; it’s about service and sacrifice. Jesus didn’t come to be served but to serve and give His life for many. 

My brother and his family are living that out every day—serving not for recognition, but out of love for those who are vulnerable.

Isaiah speaks of the “Suffering Servant,” whose life is given for others. This points to Christ, but it also reflects those who serve others in His name, whether as missionaries in distant lands or right here at home. 

And the reading from Hebrews reminds us that Jesus, our High Priest, understands our struggles and is with us when we serve, giving us the strength we need.

World Mission Sunday is a reminder that we are all called to serve. You don’t need to go to another country to be a missionary—your mission field may be your own family, workplace, or community. 

We can support missions through prayer, financial help, or by getting involved in local efforts. The key is to be willing to serve, just as Jesus did.

Today, let’s ask for the grace to follow Christ’s example of servant leadership. Like my brother’s family, we can make a difference when we step out of our comfort zones and serve others. 

Let’s embrace this call and live out the mission we are all a part of.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024

Image
  St. Augustine's Church in Peru, NY.  I would love to fill these pews with divorced Catholics who are looking for a spiritual home! We’ve all seen how difficult relationships can be, haven’t we?  Whether it’s in our own families or with close friends, we’ve experienced the pain and heartache that come when a marriage falls apart.  I’ve seen it in my own family too—my two brothers have gone through divorces, and it wasn’t easy for anyone involved.  It’s tough on the husband, the wife, the kids, and even friends who don’t know what to say or do. And I know many of you have similar stories. Today’s readings bring up the topic of marriage, and maybe when you hear them, they touch a sensitive spot. It’s not an easy subject to talk about, but it’s important because, whether we like it or not, divorce is part of our reality.  It affects so many of us, and sometimes we’re left wondering what the Church really thinks about it. When Jesus talks about marriage today, He’s reminding us of God
Read more

21st Sunday in Ordinary time 2024

Image
  A man was praying, and he said, 'Lord, why do you have to make everything so complicated?' Suddenly, he heard a voice from heaven reply, 'If it were easy, you wouldn't need me!' And isn’t that the truth? Sometimes we wish everything in life and faith were simple. But as we see in today’s readings, not everything is easy to accept or understand. And maybe that’s exactly the point: faith, especially when it's challenging, invites us to rely on God even more. In today’s readings, we encounter some very challenging words—words that, even 2,000 years after they were written, still cause discomfort.  St. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, speaks about subordination, specifically saying, “Wives should be subordinate to their husbands.”  And then, in the Gospel, many of Jesus’ own disciples, after hearing His teaching, declare, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” These two passages highlight a theme we can all relate to—dealing with teachings that challenge u
Read more

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024

Image
  I want to start today by talking about someone many of you might be familiar with: Rick Steves, the travel show host on PBS. If you’ve ever watched his show or read his travel guides, you know that Rick has a wealth of practical advice for travelers. One tip that stands out is his recommendation to pack light—ideally, to use just one carry-on bag and pack for only about a week or ten days. Rick advises this because you’re far less likely to lose carry-on luggage, and it’s always better to travel light. You can do laundry when you run out of clothes and find whatever else you need along the way. This travel advice resonates with today’s Gospel from Mark, where Jesus sends out the Twelve. Jesus gives them some very specific packing instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic.” Essentially, Jesus is telling them to travel light. But why would Jesus instruct His disciples this way? Let’s unpack t
Read more